Lions sixth-round wideout T.J. Jones recovering from shoulder surgery

The Lions didn’t have sixth-round wide receiver T.J. Jones on the field during their recent minicamp and a lingering shoulder injury from his college days is to blame for the absence.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Jones had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder during minicamp and that his arm is currently in a sling as he recovers from the procedure. Jones said that he sprained his right AC joint during Notre Dame’s bowl game and that the continued presence of the injury led him to have surgery at this point.

Jones told Birkett that he expects to be ready for the start of training camp, although that date could get pushed back a little bit if Jones suffers even minimal setbacks during his recovery over the next month. When he does get back on the field, Jones will have to show that the missed time didn’t leave him too far behind to be a contributor on offense during his rookie season.

If Jones does contribute, it is likely to be as a slot receiver alongside Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Ryan Broyles, who is recovering from last year’s torn Achilles, would seem to be his top competition for that role.